Exposure of active sites in Mn–SnS2 nanosheets to boost hydrogen evolution reaction. (22nd June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhai, Qingxi; Ji, Hurong; Ren, Yilun; Wu, Hao; Wang, Biao; Li, Fengqi; Ma, Yujie; Meng, Xiangkang
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 47:Number 52(2022)
• Page Start: 21942
• Page End: 21951
• Publication Date: 2022-06-22
• Subjects: SnS2 -- Doping -- Active sites -- Defects -- Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER); Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.05.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Designing and synthesizing high-activity, durable, and low-cost catalysts for the electrochemically transformation of water to hydrogen are vitally important to future energy systems. Herein, a simple but effective strategy for manganese-metal-heteroatom doping is adopted to intrinsically elevate the electrocatalytic activities of SnS2 nanosheets by a facile two steps hydrothermal-sulfurization approach. Electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution (HER) performance of Mn–SnS2 nanosheets grown on 3D nickel foam (Mn–SnS2 /NF) is efficiently optimized since the dopants and defects endow the Mn–SnS2 /NF vast active sites. An overpotential as low as 71 mV is required to drive a current density of 10 mA/cm 2 with a low Tafel slope of 72 mV dec −1 in alkaline environment (1 M KOH). In addition, the Mn–SnS2 /NF exhibits prominent stability in 1 M KOH electrolyte, which is an indispensable index for the potential HER electrocatalysts. The present work demonstrates that the heteroatom manganese doping strategy renders a meaningful route for synthesizing cost-efficient HER electrocatalysts in alkaline condition. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: The Mn–SnS2 /NF nanosheets had rich defects induced by Mn dopants. The optimal atomic ratio of Mn dopants was 6.9%. The Mn dopants and defects contributed the drastically enhanced electrochemical HER activity. Mn–SnS2 /NF only required an overpotential as small as 71 mV to drive a current density of 10 mA cm −2 . Mn–SnS2 /NF had exhibited remarkable stability and long-term durability of 24h.